Project description:We reported a case of pericardial agenesis discovered at the age of 60 during coronary artery bypass grafting surgery. However, this anomaly was not treated during the initial surgery. During the post-operatory period, the patient developed recurrent unilateral right pulmonary edema whenever assuming a semi-upright position. We hypothesized that the positional hemodynamic alterations in this patient were related to this rare congenital anomaly. The patient underwent reoperation, 48 hours later, with synthetic pericardial reconstruction and experienced an uneventful recovery during follow-up.
Project description:BackgroundThe quadricuspid pulmonary valve (QPV) is a relatively rare heart congenital anomaly. It is usually asymptomatic and incidentally detected.Case summaryA 52-year-old woman presented with paroxysmal palpitations and chest tightness after exertion. After a series of examinations, we finally diagnosed her with QPV and pulmonary hypertension. The symptoms have improved significantly with medications, and subsequently, the patient was discharged.DiscussionThis case demonstrated the crucial role of multimodality imaging in evaluating the non-invasive depiction of pulmonary valve disease.
Project description:A 78-year-old male patient presented with dyspnea, loss of appetite, and weight loss. Workup and imaging showed suspected malignant lung lesion. Biopsy was done and showed features of pulmonary enteric adenocarcinoma (PEAC). This is a very rare disease and its diagnosis is challenging.
Project description:Here we investigated the protein composition of the main pulmonary artery (MPA), distal pulmonary arteries (DPA) distal whole lung (DWL) of early stage hypoxia (using a neonatal bovine calf model) and late stage hypoxia (using adult steers with hypoxia-induced PH) using high resolution mass spectrometry. Compartment-resolved analysis allowed for quantitative measurements of proteins from cellular, soluble ECM and insoluble ECM fractions
Project description:BackgroundSevere hypertension in young patients presents a significant diagnostic dilemma, and treatment can often be codified. Therefore, it is crucial to diagnose these cases for probable secondary hypertension. Common causes of secondary hypertension include large vessel vasculitis, renal artery stenosis, coarctation of the aorta, and endocrine disorders.Case summaryA 23-year-old Asian male, who was previously in good health, presented with symptoms of chest pain, shortness of breath on exertion grade II, and generalized weakness. On examination, his blood pressure was markedly elevated at 200/110 mmHg. Diagnostic investigations revealed significant vascular involvement, including bilateral renal artery stenosis accompanied by aneurysm formation, celiac trunk disease, and osteal stenosis of the superior mesenteric artery. The patient underwent successful interventional procedure, including renal angioplasty, stenting, and aneurysm coiling. This was followed by tailoring of medical management along with anti-inflammatory and disease-modifying drugs.DiscussionThe diagnosis of Takayasu arteritis (TAK) in this case is supported by the patients' age, presentation, and imaging according to the new TAK classification criteria by the American College of Rheumatology/European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) and emphasizes the potential benefits of a pharmaco-invasive approach for optimal outcomes.
Project description:BackgroundCalcium channel blockers (CCB), the first accepted treatment, is effective only in a small number of idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (I-PAH) patients with vasoreactivity [these patients are identified by a positive acute pulmonary vasoreactive test (AVT) response]. While the majority of I-PAH patients is non-vasoreactive and CCB non-responders, modern advanced pulmonary hypertension (PH)-specific therapies, which act on one of the three different mechanistic pathways-endothelin, nitric oxide (NO), and prostacyclin pathways, are effective. Treatment response to advanced PH-specific vasodilators in PAH patients with vasoreactivity is unknown.Case summaryA 30-year-old woman with I-PAH was referred to our centre with worsening symptoms and deteriorating PH. She was being administered oral triple combination of advanced PH-specific treatment including a phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor, an endothelin receptor antagonist, and a long-acting prostacyclin analogue. The patient showed positive AVT with NO inhalation while on these advanced PH-specific drugs. We added high-dose CCB, which dramatically normalized her pulmonary blood pressure without further symptoms, and she has remained stable for 5 years.DiscussionOur case describes a PAH patient with vasoreactivity, who was resistant to three different types of advanced PH-specific vasodilators but was exclusively sensitive to CCB treatment. Some CCB responders may have a specific CCB-sensitive PAH phenotype refractory to other pulmonary vasodilators. This case highlights the role of identifying CCB responders in this era of use of modern, advanced PH-specific vasodilators. The investigation of the mechanisms underlying CCB sensitivity in PAH is necessary.
Project description:ImportanceClinical observations of immediate improvement in fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2) in a proportion of cases is often cited as the rationale for using inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) in the management of acute pulmonary hypertension among very preterm neonates (gestational age, <32 weeks). However, the clinical effectiveness of such a response pattern remains underinvestigated.ObjectiveTo identify factors associated with predischarge mortality among very preterm neonates receiving iNO for acute pulmonary hypertension, with specific a priori emphasis on iNO responsiveness.Design, setting, and participantsThis prospective observational cohort study was conducted from January 1, 2018, to December 31, 2022, at 12 Canadian tertiary neonatal intensive care units. Consecutive very preterm neonates who received iNO for a diagnosis of acute pulmonary hypertension and pretreatment FiO2 of 0.50 or more were included. Neonates with congenital anomalies or those who were treated for chronic pulmonary hypertension with iNO were excluded. Early acute pulmonary hypertension (≤72 hours of age) and late acute pulmonary hypertension (>72 hours of age) cohorts were analyzed separately. Statistical analysis was performed from January 2023 to January 2024.ExposureTreatment with iNO for acute pulmonary hypertension.Main outcomes and measuresThe study cohorts were divided for comparison based on the primary outcome of predischarge mortality. Logistic regression analyses were used with predefined variables, including iNO responsiveness, to identify factors associated with mortality. A positive response to iNO was defined as a pre-iNO minus 4-hour post-iNO FiO2 of 0.20 or more.ResultsThe early acute pulmonary hypertension group (mean [SD] birth gestational age, 26.3 [2.4] weeks; median treatment age, 1 day [IQR, 1-2 days]; 147 boys [56%]) included 262 neonates; 179 (68%) had a pre-iNO FiO2 of 1.0. The late acute pulmonary hypertension group (mean [SD] birth gestational age, 24.9 [1.7] weeks; median treatment age, 13 days [IQR, 9-20 days]; 72 boys [66%]) included 109 neonates; 51 (47%) had a pre-iNO FiO2 of 1.0. Neonates with early acute pulmonary hypertension more frequently had a positive iNO response (71% [186 of 262] vs 41% [45 of 109]) and lower mortality (34% [90 of 262] vs 49% [53 of 109]) than those with late acute pulmonary hypertension. Accounting for pretreatment illness factors, greater reduction in FiO2 with iNO remained associated with lower mortality for neonates with early acute pulmonary hypertension (adjusted odds ratio per FiO2 reduction of 0.10, 0.74 [95% CI, 0.65-0.84]). For those with late acute pulmonary hypertension, however, only pretreatment illness severity (lower pre-iNO FiO2 and higher pre-iNO pH), and not positive response to iNO (adjusted odds ratio, 0.47 [95% CI, 0.17-1.30]), was associated with mortality.Conclusions and relevanceIn this cohort study of very preterm neonates with acute pulmonary hypertension treated with iNO, responsiveness to iNO was associated with improved outcomes during the first 72 hours of age. The prognostic role of iNO response in acute pulmonary hypertension presenting after 72 hours of age remains unclear. Future studies should investigate the distinct pathophysiological mechanisms associated with late acute pulmonary hypertension in this population.
Project description:BackgroundCombined idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) with pulmonary emphysema (CPFE) is a syndrome with a characteristic presentation of upper lobe emphysema and lower lobe fibrosis. While CPFE is a strong determinant of secondary precapillary pulmonary hypertension (PH), there is limited evidence regarding the management of patients with CPFE and PH.Case presentationA 63 year-old male presented in 2006 with dyspnoea on exertion having quit smoking in 2003. Clinical examination, together with high resolution computed tomography, bronchoalveolar lavage, and echocardiographic assessments, suggested a diagnosis of CPFE without PH. In 2007, the patient received intravenous cyclophosphamide, N-acetylcysteine, and short-term anticoagulation treatment. Due to remission of acute exacerbations, the patient received triple combination therapy (prednisone, N-acetylcysteine and azathioprine). Upon progressive clinical worsening, long-term supplemental oxygen therapy was initiated in 2009. Repeated right heart catheterisation in 2011 confirmed PH and worsening pulmonary haemodynamics, and off-label ambrisentan therapy was initiated. Dyspnoea remained at follow-up, although significant haemodynamic improvement was observed.ConclusionCFPE is a distinct but under-recognized and common syndrome with a characteristic presentation. Further studies are needed to ascertain the etiology, morbidity, and mortality of CPEF with or without PH, and to evaluate novel management options.
Project description:These microarray studies were performed using whole lungs of BALB/C mice during development of hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension (days 1-21) and resolution of pulmonary hypertension after return to normoxia (days 22-35) . Mice were sampled during nine time-points and each time-point was replicated 4 times (with dye swapping). Keywords = hypoxia Keywords = pulmonary hypertension
Project description:Predisposing factors for the development of a pre-capillary component in pulmonary hypertension associated with left heart disease remain elusive. We report the case of a patient with persistent combined post-capillary and pre-capillary pulmonary hypertension after cardiac transplantation, in whom a rare BMPR2 variant was found.